When you’re shopping for a car seat, you may notice that a lot of them have a “rear facing only” designation. What does this mean? Can my child use the car seat in the front as well? The answer is a little complicated, but in general, the rear facing only designation means that the car seat should only be used in the rear of the vehicle. If you want to use your car seat in the front, you need to find an infant-only car seat.
What is a car seat and why should my child face forward in it?
A car seat is a child safety seat that attaches to the back of a vehicle. It should be placed in the rear passenger seat, facing backward so that the child’s head and shoulders are pinned against the headrest. A car seat should not be used if it can be removed from the vehicle by the child or caregivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children aged 0-4 years old ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach age 4 years old, or until their height reaches 44 inches, whichever comes first. Children who are 5 years old or taller should ride in a forward-facing car seat until they reach age 8 years old, or until their height reaches 54 inches, whichever comes first.
There are many different types of car seats on the market today and it is important to choose one that is suitable for your child’s size and weight as well as your driving habits. Some factors to consider when choosing a car seat include: whether your vehicle has an installed harness system; how much weight your child weighs; whether you will be using a carseat while travelling in cars with airbags; if your vehicle has Latch anchors for securing a carseat to the vehicle; if you have another child who is using a booster seat in the same area as your infant; and whether you have room in your vehicle for storage.
When can my child’s car seat be turned around to face the rear?
If your child is old enough to use a car seat, it’s important to know when can their car seat be turned around to face the rear. Every car and child is different, so read your car seat instruction manual carefully for information on how to adjust your child’s car seat. If you are still unsure about whether or not your child’s car seat can be turned around to face the rear, consult with a safety specialist.
How do I know if my child’s car seat is appropriate for their age and weight?
When shopping for a car seat, it is important to take your child’s age and weight into consideration.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children use a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 1 year old and weigh less than 20 pounds. Children who are between 1 and 2 years old should use a forward-facing car seat until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall and 35 pounds or until they can sit unassisted in a booster seat. After those points, the AAP recommends that children use a regular car seat for safety.
To make sure your child’s car seat is appropriate for their age and weight, measure their head, shoulders, chest and hips according to the guidelines below:
I recommend checking your car seats monthly regardless of when the manufacturer recommends checking them. Manufacturers update their recommendations as new research becomes available which could include newer technology or updated crash tests.
If you have any questions about whether your child’s carseat is appropriate for their age and weight, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-424-9193 or visit our website at safercar.gov.
Is my child too big for a forward-facing car seat?
Forward-facing car seats are designed for infants from 6 to 12 months old and weigh around 20 pounds. Make sure your child’s height and weight fit within the manufacturers guidelines in order to ensure a safe and secure ride. If your child is between 13 and 18 months old, their weight should be at least 25 pounds and their height should be no more than 44 inches. At this age, most children can sit in a forward-facing car seat without any problems. However, if you have concerns about your child’s safety or if they are over 18 months old and still not sitting properly in their car seat, it is always best to consult with a professional before making any changes.
How do I adjust my child’s car seat so that it will face forward safely?
If you have a newer car, the seat may already be able to face forward. However, if your car is older, there are a few steps you can take to adjust the seat so that it can face forward safely:
You’ll need to remove the back of the seat. There are usually screws in the back and you can use a Phillips screwdriver or a hex wrench to remove them. You’ll also need to remove the shoulder belt guide guard (usually located at the front of the seat) and move it out of the way. Finally, you’ll need to slide the seat all the way forward so that it’s in contact with both the vehicle’s headrests and child restraint anchors. Make sure that both sides of the seat are level and pushing down on either side will ensure that it is locked into place. If there is still some space between the car seat and headrests, you can then reattach the back of the seat by screwing it back in place.
Conclusion
When can my child’s car seat face forward? That’s a question parents often ask themselves, as they want to make sure their children are as safe as possible while traveling in a car. While there isn’t an exact answer to this question, generally speaking, car seats that are able to face forward should be used when your child is at least 2 years old and weighs 25 pounds or more. If you have any questions about when your child’s car seat is ready for facing forward travel, please don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer or visit their website for more information.